The Manchester City star, who captains the African giants, needs to up his game according to his coach, who knows that the nation's Afcon fate hangs in the balance

Herve Renard wants to see more from captain Yaya Toure when Cote d'Ivoire attempt to kick-start their Africa Cup of Nations campaign against Mali on Saturday.

The Ivorians were one of the pre-tournament favourites for the African showpiece that is being held in Equatorial Guinea.

However, the 1992 champions started Group D with a disappointing 1-1 draw against Guinea, Seydou Doumbia's 72nd-minute equaliser sparing Cote d'Ivoire's blushes.

Coach Renard stated that he felt talismanic skipper Toure appeared jaded in that game and believes the team will struggle if the Manchester City midfielder does not up his performance level.

"I think Yaya was a bit tired at the end of the game so it was better for him to come off, but he is a big competitor so he'll be ready for the second game," Renard said ahead of the encounter with Mali in Malabo.

"He has a big responsibility now, with the captain's armband. I expect a better second game from him than the first one. If he is not able to improve his level it will be difficult for the team."

Renard will have to rejig his forward line after Gervinho was sent off against Guinea for lashing out at Naby Keita in the 58th minute.

The Roma man will now miss the last two group matches through suspension and Renard, while showing some sympathy for the former Arsenal forward's indiscretion, stated that Gervinho was in the wrong.

"I said to him that he shouldn't have done what he did, but I also said to him that I did the same thing when I played football," he added.

"It is the kind of thing that we shouldn't see on a football pitch but sometimes things happen on the pitch and you get a bit carried away by the pressure or the intimidation of the opposition."

Mali have lost their last four meetings with Cote d'Ivoire, including a 1-0 defeat in the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations semi-final.

However, Henryk Kasperczak's side proved they are no pushovers in Tuesday's 1-1 draw with Cameroon and were only denied victory by Ambroise Oyongo's 84th-minute leveller.

Mali's goalscorer in that game, Sambou Yatabare, was disappointed to settle for a point, but feels the team can take heart from the draw.

"We had a great game," he said. "We were strong defensively and I am sure we can take that going forward."

http://www.goal.com/en-za/match/c%C3%B4te-divoire-vs-mali/1972618/preview

I doubt if Nigerians are following this year's AFCON...
Modified: O My! After almost 2years on Nairaland, I just won my maiden medal of FTC via this thread. Thanks Op, oga Seun kindly foreward the medal to me...via this thread or through a rope. Oseee!

Ivory coast will get their first win of the AFCON today.

Space not for sale.

most african international players always play below expections whenever they play for their respective countries.

Good luck to those that deserve victory!

EverestdeBliu:
I doubt if Nigerian are following this year's Afcon...

The humble truth is that this cup of nations is one of the most boring competitions in the history of sports.

A win in favor of ivory coast

No super eagles no AFCON
#FeBUHARI14

3-1 to Ivory Coast

Do we have to predict?

anoda stalemate. 1-1

hmm

ok

Let's keep our fingers crossed.....

I hope this one will be exciting o. Cos the nation cup has been lame thus far with very little to cheer in terms of performance and/or goals

Ivory coast 2 Mali 0 #nomoredraw

tiamiyukunle69:
Let's keep our fingers crossed.....

UI...2012 set...fac of vet med...zik hall...tacsfon...abia

tundeayo2020:
The humble truth is that this cup of nations is one of the most boring competitions in the history of sports.

It is not true.... The AFCON is one of the best sport competions. It is even more intresting than the Euro's. The only problem is that Nigeria is not Present!!!

tundeayo2020:
The humble truth is that this cup of nations is one of the most boring competitions in the history of sports.

I agree, the only group worth watching is grp C, the rest r just bleh
and most games r goaless draws, or 1-1 draw, the strikers r just wasting chances like no man's biz...it's very annoying, I feel like going there and resetting their brains....ahhhh

tyconcepts:
Do we have to predict?

I just felt like telling you guys what will be.

magnificcio:

It is not true.... The AFCON is one of the best sport competions. It is even more intresting than the Euro's. The only problem is that Nigeria is not Present!!!

I beg to disagree sir. Nothing annoys me more than seeing players lose vital chances of scoring a goal over and over again.

uzolexis:


I agree, the only group worth watching is grp C, the rest r just bleh
and most games r goaless draws, or 1-1 draw, the strikers r just wasting chances like no man's biz...it's very annoying, I feel like going there and resetting their brains....ahhhh

exactly my point.

This year cup of nation has been the worst competition so far...most Nigerians are not put much attention on the competition. Should we say or ask because Nigeria did not qualify, that's why Nigerian's are not interested in the competition or what??....pls I want answers

mukina2:
The Manchester City star, who captains the African giants, needs to up his game according to his coach, who knows that the nation's Afcon fate hangs in the balance

Herve Renard wants to see more from captain Yaya Toure when Cote d'Ivoire attempt to kick-start their Africa Cup of Nations campaign against Mali on Saturday.

The Ivorians were one of the pre-tournament favourites for the African showpiece that is being held in Equatorial Guinea.

However, the 1992 champions started Group D with a disappointing 1-1 draw against Guinea, Seydou Doumbia's 72nd-minute equaliser sparing Cote d'Ivoire's blushes.

Coach Renard stated that he felt talismanic skipper Toure appeared jaded in that game and believes the team will struggle if the Manchester City midfielder does not up his performance level.

"I think Yaya was a bit tired at the end of the game so it was better for him to come off, but he is a big competitor so he'll be ready for the second game," Renard said ahead of the encounter with Mali in Malabo.

"He has a big responsibility now, with the captain's armband. I expect a better second game from him than the first one. If he is not able to improve his level it will be difficult for the team."

Renard will have to rejig his forward line after Gervinho was sent off against Guinea for lashing out at Naby Keita in the 58th minute.

The Roma man will now miss the last two group matches through suspension and Renard, while showing some sympathy for the former Arsenal forward's indiscretion, stated that Gervinho was in the wrong.

"I said to him that he shouldn't have done what he did, but I also said to him that I did the same thing when I played football," he added.

"It is the kind of thing that we shouldn't see on a football pitch but sometimes things happen on the pitch and you get a bit carried away by the pressure or the intimidation of the opposition."

Mali have lost their last four meetings with Cote d'Ivoire, including a 1-0 defeat in the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations semi-final.

However, Henryk Kasperczak's side proved they are no pushovers in Tuesday's 1-1 draw with Cameroon and were only denied victory by Ambroise Oyongo's 84th-minute leveller.

Mali's goalscorer in that game, Sambou Yatabare, was disappointed to settle for a point, but feels the team can take heart from the draw.

"We had a great game," he said. "We were strong defensively and I am sure we can take that going forward."

http://www.goal.com/en-za/match/c%C3%B4te-divoire-vs-mali/1972618/preview

One match I newa watch, do I even plan to watch any @ all cus I'v newa hrd of people hyping a player or rating a player so high in this tournament....I will watch wen I hear a talented player has bn discovered.

PREDICTION; Ivory Coast 2 - 2 Mali.

Goooooooooooooooooool.....Mali

we are in for another boring afcon again. I smell draw from either of the matches today

Cotevoire is going home!